Michelin recommendations don't come easily and for this San Mateo restaurant, it's just an affirmation of the endless possibilities that it offers as a premier dining destination. The ambiance at 231 Ellsworth is lavish without straying into the sphere of overwhelming, providing a relaxing and sophisticated atmosphere. A word about the decor - muted lighting, richly carpeted floors, and a midnight blue vaulted ceiling - create the effect of grandiose luxury, and the overall effect helps in making you feel that you deserve to be at the center of such fantastic attention.

The French inspired menu focuses on bringing imaginative dishes built from locally reared meats and sourced produce, with starters of one hour egg, sweet garlic puree, maple bacon and salsa verde amongst starters. An intermediate course of scallop sashimi serves its purpose well, culminating in the roast salmon, scorpion fish escabeche, fingerling potatoes and broccoli Romanesque. Sweet endings could include a delectable Valrhona chocolate fondant and there are nearly 800 wines to choose from, predominantly those from France and California.